Independent contractor Willbros Group Inc. has announced that two units of its Utility T&D segment have been awarded transmission construction projects in Texas.

Xcel Energy Services Inc., on behalf of its operating company, Southwestern Public Service Co., awarded Chapman Construction, a division of Willbros, the first 104 miles of a 200-mile single-circuit 345 kV transmission line project in the Texas Panhandle. Construction on the project is scheduled to commence toward the end of the second quarter, with wire installation in the last half of 2013.

In addition, Willbros T&D was awarded a contract by New Braunfels Utilities to remove 3.1 miles of existing line and install approximately 3.8 miles of new line. That project is scheduled to begin in February and will be completed by the end of May.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with New Braunfels Utilities and Xcel Energy to support their reliability and expansion efforts,” says Randy Harl, Willbros’ president and CEO. "These awards demonstrate progress toward our strategy to expand our transmission capabilities and presence in Texas and the surrounding states. We are seeing increased opportunities for both high- and low-voltage transmission construction, and these project awards position us to obtain additional work in this region."

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